Renters' Rights Act 2026: the landlord checklist
The Renters' Rights Act 2025 commenced on 1 May 2026 and is the biggest change to private renting in England in a generation. Section 21 'no fault' evictions ended, every assured shorthold tenancy converted to an assured periodic tenancy, and a stack of new landlord duties arrived — several with civil penalties of up to £7,000.
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Section 21 was abolished and possession now runs through revised Section 8 grounds. Existing tenancies converted automatically to periodic assured tenancies.
New duties include giving tenants an Information Sheet, providing a written statement of terms, following stricter rent-increase rules, and limits on rent in advance.
Your checklist
1. Serve the tenant Information Sheet to pre-1 May 2026 tenants (deadline was 31 May 2026; still required within a month for late conversions).
2. Use a compliant written statement of terms for every new tenancy.
3. Only raise rent once every 12 months using the Section 13 / Form 4A process with two months' notice.
4. Take no more than one month's rent in advance, and none before the agreement is signed.
5. Keep gas, electrical, EPC and alarm compliance current — these did not go away.
What's still coming
The PRS Database is rolling out from late 2026, and Awaab's Law for private landlords is expected to follow. CertSafe tracks both as watch items and will alert you when they go live in your area.
Frequently asked questions
Is Section 21 really gone?
Yes. From 1 May 2026 landlords in England can no longer use Section 21 'no fault' notices; possession runs through the revised Section 8 grounds.
What are the penalties under the Renters' Rights Act?
Several of the new duties carry civil penalties of up to £7,000, and more serious or repeated breaches can escalate further.
Official source: gov.uk — Renters' Rights Act
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